The pseudonym Aldo Palazzeschi was adopted by Aldo Giurlani to shield his family name from the social stigma of his theatrical ambitions. Born in Florence in 1885, he navigated the shifting tides of twentieth-century Italian literature, producing a body of work that challenged traditional moral roles through subversive humor and the embrace of the avant-garde.
Early Development and Futurism
His initial foray into letters began with the 1905 collection I cavalli bianchi. Soon after, he moved toward the Futurist movement, finding harmony in its iconoclastic energy. While he rejected the group's political affiliations and machine-centric aesthetic, he contributed significant volumes such as L'incendiario in 1910. His 1911 novel, Il codice di Perelà, introduced a protagonist constructed of smoke, serving as an allegory for the poet's condition in a modern environment.
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During World War I, his direct exposure to military service shifted the focus of his writing toward humanistic concerns, particularly visible in the 1920 publication Due imperi… mancati. In the subsequent interwar decades, he balanced his career as a journalist for publications like Pegaso and Il Selvaggio with the production of traditional narrative fiction. His 1934 novel Le sorelle Materassi remains a prominent example of his ability to weave comic observation into the lives of unremarkable characters.
Later Years and Literary Recognition
Relocating to Rome in 1941, he witnessed a resurgence in academic interest regarding his early Futurist contributions. This curiosity prompted a return to poetry and fantastical narrative structures in his final years. By the late 1960s, these efforts cemented his relevance among the post-war avant-garde. His career concluded in Rome in 1974, and he was interred at the Settignano Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1885, Florence
- Died: 1974, Rome
- Buried: Settignano Cemetery
- Awards: Viareggio Prize (1948), Marzotto Prize (1953), Feltrinelli Prize (1957)
- Languages: Italian, Slovene
- Occupations: writer, poet, journalist, prose writer, science fiction writer
Questions readers ask
Why did he use a pseudonym?
He used his grandmother's name, Palazzeschi, to prevent his family from associating him with his career in acting.
What is his most famous work?
Il codice di Perelà, a 1911 novel, is noted for its exploration of a protagonist made of smoke.
Achievements
- Marzotto Prize — 1953
- Viareggio Prize — 1948
- Feltrinelli Prize — 1957
